Walter favorite to succeed
©IMAGO
This article appeared in a first version at 10:54 a.m. and was supplemented with further information after the fix was reported.
Holstein Kiel is parting ways with coach Marcel Rapp after the disappointing results of the last few weeks. On Tuesday, the second division team initially postponed public training until Wednesday and called a media meeting. Official confirmation followed a short time later. According to Transfermarkt information, the favorite for the successor is Tim Walter, who already worked on the fjord in the 2018/19 season.
“After a detailed analysis of the sporting development and intensive discussions with my colleagues on the executive board and the supervisory board, we came to the conclusion that a change was needed,” explained Managing Director Sport Olaf Rebbe. “Marcel and his team have written KSV history over the past four and a half years. His work, his commitment and his interaction with people was extraordinary and will always be remembered – that’s exactly why this step is very difficult for us.”
Rapp had been under contract with Kiel since October 2021, making him the longest-serving coach in the 2nd Bundesliga behind Christian Eichner. In the direct meeting with Karlsruher SC at the weekend there was a 1:3 (0:1) defeat – while Eichner saved his job for the time being, Rapp has to pack his things after the fifth defeat in a row, including the DFB Cup. Kiel has slipped to 14th place in the 2nd league table and is now only one point ahead of the relegation zone. After being relegated to the Bundesliga last year, the Storks have the seventh most valuable squad in the league.
Rapp left a message to the KSV fans: “I look back on my time at Holstein Kiel with great gratitude and just as much conviction. Over the past few years, we have developed a clear sporting identity together, built structures and written club history with promotion to the Bundesliga. This success was the result of hard, continuous work and a strong unity within the entire club. After the upheaval in the summer, we found ourselves in a demanding but, in my view, very well-planned development process. I am convinced “I hope that we successfully mastered the sporting challenges together and made the season stable. I respect the club’s decision and will continue on my path with full energy. The experiences of the past few years – especially the development of a team over several seasons – have further strengthened me as a coach. Holstein Kiel will always remain a special club for me and I wish the team much success for the rest of the season and beyond.”
